Presidential hopeful, John Edwards says there are two Americas; the one with means and those without any worthwhile economic standing. He then proceeds to blame that condition on the rich and those who control wealth. As with all liberals who want to demonize success, Edwards is wrong about wealth versus poverty, and right about two Americas existing side by side.

Residents of the United States fall into two types: First, those who work and make their way independent of the government; and second those who are dependent on a government program for their existence. Only that isn’t what Edwards wants to expose. No, he wants to expand government which will only increase dependence on government handouts, which in so many words will redistribute income to make life fairer for everyone now at the bottom of the ladder.

The first type of citizen goes to work each day, earns, saves, and provides for family and self. In order to maximize resources, good decisions must be made to make ends meet, as the old saying goes. Some don’t make good decisions and the result is too much month left at the end of the money. But that has nothing to do with the two types of Americas. Everyone makes wrong economic decisions at times and the trouble worsens when the wrong decision is made time after time.  These people don’t need government programs to bail them out; they need training in how to become and stay economically sound by making better decisions. (Wouldn’t parents and the schools be the best place to provide that training?) Edwards refuses to mention that personal responsibility is the key to financial health or explain how the industrious keep others from having a measure of wealth.

Jesus said: [John 12:8] For the poor always ye have with you; ... which is a fact of life. Paul said: [Gal 6:10] [Gal 6:10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. But Jesus, nor Paul, nor any other teaching of scripture indicates that government should be the one to distribute benevolence to the needy. Conversely, every verse which covers giving, teaches that individuals from their own resources and the church collectively are to help the ones in need. In the instruction to Timothy, Paul wrote: [1 Tim 6:17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [1 Tim 6:18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  Several teachings are in the two verses; One, the rich are to continue to trust in God who enables everyone to have what they posses. Two, they are to use their wealth to do good works and be ready to share it with the less fortunate as the need arises. (What you won’t find is any instruction for the government to force the “rich” or wealthy to share their wealth if they don’t do so willingly.)  

Unlike the government, (politicians) which hands out to all who make some type of claim for assistance, the Bible puts a limit on helping those who are responsible for not working and who go to others for their sustenance. We find the following in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should eat. In other words, those unwilling to provide for themselves shouldn’t be supported by the church [Confer with verses 11-12 which lays bare the shallowness and truth of government forced welfare.]

Edwards and his type ilk would do well to stop the demagoguery of the two Americas and tell the truth about what has caused the division, government handouts which make people believe that they should live off of the efforts of others. He appeals to the greed and avarice of those dependent on the government, hoping that it will get him elected to the presidency.

In Sorting It Out, we see in Edwards a man who is wealthy, trying to tell the rest is what we should do, and all the while, he fits the type of which Paul spoke, a busybody going about making trouble for personal gain.

© 12-31-2006